The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-10-22

Cuu CutNh ituOtitis IL JOu oVh " ~
won't be much of loss" tI
"But promised mother I wouldn't
neglect it. You know / let my rabbits
starvc to death, and mother said thon
l did not deserve to ever have another
pet. must go back, Hal. OF course
tits hard for me to give up the fun; but
there is no help for it as far as can
sec."
II don'tsee. But there's father; let's
ask him about it," said Hal, MS Mr.
Nelson appeared in the doorway of the
stable. 81 know he will say you would
be foolish to CO."
That was exactly what Mr.. Nelson
did say, and, he added, II will give you
what you expected to get for the bird,
Hugh, and that will make it all right,
and save you the trouble of taking il to
the fair"
"That's not it, Uncle. I don't care
so much for the money. but don't
want to let the bird dic.''
"But have no way of sending you
home, Hugh. can not 60 to Barclay
again until Friday, and as it is twelve
miles from the railroad and three from
your fathers farm, there would be no adj
vantage in your going by rail. No, you
must give up this idea, my boy, and try
to forget it. And, after all. the life of
q bird is very small affair and not
worth so much worry"
Every likely it will live until Fri
day." said Hal cheerfully, land if it
don't it won't matter much, as father
says. Come on, lets set up the tar
get"
But it was with very sober face and
tagging steps that Hugh followed his
cousin to the tool-house to get the nee
essary nail, and he showed no enthu-
siasm when his arrow pierced the mark.
His mind was dwelling on that poor
little canary twenty miles away. and
the promise he had made regarding it.
When several of the neighborhood
boys called to see Hal and take part in
the sport, Hugh slipped away, and run
ming into the barn, threw himself on a
pile of hay in the loft to think over his
position.
The question he had to decide was q
very difficult one. He wanted so much
to stay for the picnic and the fireworks.
1t would be terribly hard to give up all
the promised enjoyment and as his
uncle had said the life of bird was not
of much consequence, anyway, and his
mother would surely excuse him. under
all the circumstances, for breaking his
promise. And if he went home he
would anger and disappoint Hal. 1t
was q long walk. too. Twenty miles,
and the road was dusty and unshaded.
He could not reach home until dark,
even if he started at once. No; it was
certainly better that he should stay at
his uncle's. There was chance, too
though q very slim onc-that Ralph
would 90 into tho tool-house and see
the bird, or that his mother would re.
member it.
Then the recollection of the rabbits
he had allowed to starve to death came
to disturb him. Would his mother ex
cuse him for breaking his promise
when he had assured her SO earnestly
that the bird should not be neglected
No, he was sure she would not. Ant
she would never trust him again.
"But / can't, can't CO." he nut
tered, with choking sound in hi
throat that was almost a sob. Its :
little too much to expect fellow tt
give up every thing"
But, after all, his sense of right con
quered, and when Hal went into TIN
house half an hour later, to inquire fo
his cousin, he found IL note on the bu
reau of the room they had occupied tn
night previous, which ran as follows:
"Dear Hal: Tn awful sorry; but
think ought to go. Don't be put on
about it,
But Hal Was ''put out" and declare,
over and over again that he woul'
never forgive Hugh for having treate
him so shabbily, and that he woul
never again ask him to pay him visit
Perhaps he would have felt NOR
kindly toward his cousin had he see
him toiling along the hot. dusty road
weary and footsore before he had gon
ten miles. But he kept bravely on, an
j at dusk was only three miles from home
Then he was so tired it seemed to hir
as if he could not walk another ster
, and he sat down by the roadside, hop
ing some wagon would pass, and h
J could get q ride.
J 1t was not long before he heard tn
sound of horses hoofs. and ligh
buggy and two chestnut horses drive
by an elderly man, came in sight Hug
rose to his feet and made his request
which was granted at once, and h
gave sigh of relief as he seated himse
: in the buggy and the horses starte
briskly forward.
"Who are you. and where are yo
going?' asked the gentleman, who ha
} a prompt, decisive way of speaking
. Hugh gave his name, and said he wa
Z on his way home from Seaford; but tn
: did not satisfy his interrogation, wh'
having nothing else to do, piled hi
. with questions until he learned tn
whole story.
1 "You did right" he said II n,
, glad to find n boy with so much pril
4 ciple. Make it u rule to keep yol
: promises. and you will win the conf
(, dence of all who know YOU"
These words were very comforting